The benefits of a strong passport are obvious: easier access to more destinations, a smoother travel experience and even better chances of avoiding long queues at border control.
Have you ever thought about why a strong passport is so important? A strong passport allows citizens to travel without having to apply for a visa.
The benefits of a strong passport are obvious: easier access to more destinations, a smoother travel experience and even better chances of avoiding long queues at border control.
In addition, it reflects a country’s global reputation and diplomatic strength and often opens doors to better opportunities abroad.
The latest Henley Passport Index has revealed the countries with the most powerful passports in the world.
The Henley Passport Index is based on exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) – the largest and most accurate database of travel information – and enhanced by the research team at Henley & Partners.
The index covers 199 different passports and 227 different travel destinations. The Henley Passport Index is updated monthly and is the most robust and reliable index of its kind.
According to the latest update, citizens of countries with valid passports such as Singapore, France and Germany can visit numerous countries without a visa.
In Africa, Seychelles has the most powerful passport, allowing visa-free access to 151 countries, ranking 24th in the world.
Close behind is Mauritius, which offers visa-free access to 150 countries, ranking 28th in the world, while the South African passport grants access to 106 countries, ranking the country 47th in the world.
Below are the ten African countries with the most powerful passports:
Rank | country | Visa-free travel destinations | Global Ranking |
---|---|---|---|
1. |
Seychelles |
151 |
24. |
2 |
Mauritius |
150 |
28. |
3 |
South Africa |
106 |
47. |
4 |
Botswana |
88 |
56. |
5 |
Namibia |
81 |
61. |
6 |
Lesotho |
79 |
63. |
7 |
Swaziland |
77 |
64. |
8 |
Kenya |
75 |
66. |
9 |
Malawi |
75 |
66. |
10 |
Tanzania |
73 |
67. |